Umbrella

ABSTRACT

The umbrella is equipped with a lower ring and upper ring pivotally attached to the bases of each rib and each stretcher, and a main shaft part including an interior pole which is fixed to the upper ring in the upper part, and a circular pipe which is connected to the lower ring in the upper part and is slidably inserted outside of the interior pole. At the opening/closing motion of the umbrella, in response to the umbrella closing operation (umbrella opening operation) to an operation part provided in the lower part of the umbrella, the circular pipe which extends toward the operation part is driven in the direction in which the lower ring approaches (separates from) the upper ring. Consequently, the umbrella opening operation and umbrella closing operation using a single hand become possible in a simple structure.

This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2010-267081filed on November 30, the contents of which are hereby incorporated byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to an umbrella which is equipped with a mainshaft part extending from a grip part along a central axis.

2. Description of the Background Art

As for an umbrella, when holding a bag or being injured in one hand, itwould be convenient to have an umbrella to be able to perform not onlyan umbrella opening operation but an umbrella closing operation onlythrough the use of another hand grasping the umbrella.

About such an umbrella, the technology disclosed in, for example,Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. H6(1994)-30813 is proposed.According to this technology, the umbrella is equipped with ribs,stretchers pivotally connected to the halfway part of each rib, andsub-stretchers pivotally connected to the halfway part of eachstretcher, and is provided with a upper ring pivotally attached to theribs, a middle ring pivotally attached to the stretchers, and a lowerring pivotally attached to the sub-stretchers. The upper ring and lowerring can respectively move upward and downward with respect to themiddle ring fixed to the tube of the umbrella. By such a construction,the displacement (opening/closing stroke) of the lower ring which isrequired for the opening/closing motion of the umbrella is shortened,and the umbrella opening operation and umbrella closing operation becomepossible within the capability of a single hand.

However, according to the above-mentioned technology, since theconstruction which is equipped with three rings and makes the upper ringand lower ring movable is required, it becomes complicated. This invitesthe increase in the manufacturing cost, etc.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to an umbrella which is equipped witha main shaft part extending from a grip part along a central axis.

According to the present invention, the umbrella comprises: an upperring pivotally attached to each stretcher pivotally connected to eachjoint installed in a halfway part of each rib which is stretched whenopening the umbrella; a lower ring pivotally attached to the each riband installed in a position to be closer to the grip part than the upperring in the main shaft part; a cloth part attached to the each stretcherand each of sections from the halfway part to a tip in the each rib; andan operation part for receiving an umbrella closing operation and anumbrella opening operation concerning a switch between an umbrellaopened state and an umbrella closed state, wherein: one and another ofthe upper ring and the lower ring serve as a fixed ring and a movablering which can move along the central axis in the main shaft part; inresponse to the umbrella closing operation, a movable member whichextends from the movable ring toward the operation part is driven in adirection in which the movable ring approaches the fixed ring, while inresponse to the umbrella opening operation, the movable member is drivenin a direction in which the movable ring separates from the fixed ring;and a displacement of the movable ring which is required for anopening/closing motion of the umbrella is commensurate with adisplacement concerning an operation which can be performed by using apredetermined finger of a single hand grasping the grip part.Consequently, the umbrella opening operation and umbrella closingoperation using a single hand become possible in a simple structure.Furthermore, the simplification of the drive mechanism concerning themovable ring can be attained by effectively using the operationaldisplacement of the predetermined finger.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide anumbrella in which the umbrella opening operation and umbrella closingoperation using a single hand are possible in a simple structure.

These and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become more apparent from the following detaileddescription of the present invention when taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are outline views showing the principal constructionof the umbrella concerning the preferred embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 3 is a view for explaining the umbrella opened state concerning theumbrella.

FIG. 4 is a view for explaining the umbrella closed state concerning theumbrella.

FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B are views for explaining the opening/closingoperation of the umbrella.

FIG. 6 is a view showing the construction of the circular pipe of theumbrella.

FIG. 7 is a view showing the construction of the umbrella as thecomparative example.

FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B are views for explaining the construction of theoperation part concerning the modification of this invention.

FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B are views for explaining the construction of theoperation part concerning another modification.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Principal Construction ofUmbrella

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are outline views showing the principal constructionof the umbrella 1 concerning the preferred embodiment of this invention.FIG. 1 expresses the state (hereinafter referred to as “umbrella openedstate”) in which the ribs are spread and the umbrella 1 is opened. FIG.2 expresses the state (hereinafter referred to as “umbrella closedstate”) in which the umbrella 1 is closed. Here and in subsequentfigures, in order to clarify directional relations, the XYZ orthogonalcoordinate system to conform the Y-axis direction to the direction ofthe central axis concerning the umbrella 1 is attached if needed.

The umbrella 1 is equipped with the main shaft part 10 having rod-shapedform, the ferrule 2 connected to the upper end of the main shaft part10, and the handle 3 which has a “J” character-like outer shape and isconnected to the lower end of the main shaft part 10. This handle 3serves as a grip part to be grasped by a hand.

The operation part 20 for receiving the umbrella closing operation andumbrella opening operation concerning the switch between the umbrellaopened state and the umbrella closed state is provided in the lower partof the umbrella 1. The operation part 20 is equipped with the openbutton 12 for forcing the tab 11 to be pushed into the inside of themain shaft part 10 by the push operation and shifting from the umbrellaclosed state to the umbrella opened state, and the close handle 13 forshifting from the umbrella opened state to the umbrella closed state bysliding in the direction (the +Y direction) of the ferrule 2.

The lower ring 5 pivotally attached to the base of each rib 4 which isstretched when opening the umbrella 1, and the upper ring 7 pivotallyattached to the base of each stretcher (spreader) 6 which is pivotallyconnected to the joint 8 in the halfway part of each rib 4 are providedin the upper part of the main shaft part 10. The upper ring 7 is fixedto the upper end of the main shaft 10, while the lower ring 5 installedin the position (of the −Y direction) to be closer to the handle 3 thanthe upper ring 7 in the main shaft 10 can slide along the Y-axisdirection in conjunction with the operation to the close handle 13. Thatis, one and another of the upper ring 7 and lower ring 5 function as afixed ring and a movable ring which can move along the central axis AX(refer to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4) in the main shaft part 10. By the change ofthe distance from the upper ring 7 to the lower ring 5, the switchbetween the umbrella opened state (refer to FIG. 1) and the umbrellaclosed state (refer to FIG. 2) becomes possible in the umbrella 1.Below, the opening/closing motion of the umbrella 1 is explained indetail through the use of FIG. 3 and FIG. 4.

FIG. 3 is a view for explaining the umbrella opened state concerning theumbrella 1. FIG. 4 is a view for explaining the umbrella closed stateconcerning the umbrella 1.

The main shaft part 10 extends from the handle 3 (refer to FIG. 1)towards the ferrule 2 provided in the apical end of the umbrella 1 alongthe central axis AX of the umbrella 1. The main shaft part 10 isequipped with the interior pole 14 which has a cylindrical outer shapeand is connected to the upper ring 7 in the upper end, and the circularpipe 15 which has a round tubular outer shape and is slidably insertedoutside of the interior pole 14. As for this circular pipe 15, it isdesirable that the frictional resistance when sliding is reduced toenable smoothly moving even through the use of the comparatively smalldriving force by, for example, making the circular pipe 15 contactpartially to the interior pole 14 in the upper end part and lower endpart.

The interior pole 14 and the circular pipe 15 are formed of, forexample, metal such as aluminum. The lower ring 5 is fixed to the upperend of the circular pipe 15, which can move along the Y-axis direction(in the upper and lower directions) in conjunction with the operation tothe close handle 13 (refer to FIG. 1).

Thus, since the circular pipe 15 can relatively move upward and downwardwith respect to the interior pole 14, it becomes possible to make theupper ring 7 and the lower ring 5, between which there is the distance Lin the umbrella opened state shown in FIG. 3, approach mutually in theumbrella closed state shown in FIG. 4. That is, if the circular pipe 15is driven only distance equivalent to the distance L in the Y-axisdirection, the switch between the umbrella opened state and umbrellaclosed state can be performed.

As for the stroke (hereinafter referred to as “opening/closing stroke”)of the circular pipe 15 which is required for the opening/closing motionof the umbrella 1, the shortening of the opening/closing stroke becomespossible by setting the upper ring 7 connected to the stretcher 6 abovethe lower ring 5 connected to the rib 4 like this embodiment, andrelatively moving the lower ring 5 towards the upper ring 7 in the caseof the umbrella closing operation. Furthermore, the more effectivereduction of the opening/closing stroke can be attained by making theangle θa of the rib 4 and the angle θb of the stretcher 6 with respectto the main shaft part 10 into an acute angle in the umbrella openedstate, and making the angle θb smaller than the angle θa. This reductioneffect of the opening/closing stroke is explained in detail later.

In the umbrella 1 having the above construction, the cloth (cover) partEa (the shaded area of FIG. 1) is attached to the section from the joint8, which is provided in the halfway part of the rib 4, to the tip 41,and the whole length of the stretcher 6 (from the joint 8 to the base ofthe stretcher 6). In addition, As for FIG. 1, a portion of the clothpart is expressed by the shaded area for convenience sake of drawing. Itis desirable to gradually decrease the height (the width in the Ydirection) of the rib 4 from the joint 8 toward the tip 41 like thetapering form Kd shown in FIG. 3 so that no difference in levelconcerning the cloth part arises around the joint 8 in the umbrellaopened state.

Opening/Closing Operation of Umbrella 1

Next, the switch operation (opening/closing operation) between theumbrella opened state (refer to FIG. 1) and umbrella closed state (referto FIG. 2) in the umbrella 1 is explained in detail.

FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B are views for explaining the opening/closingoperation of the umbrella 1. FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B show the sectionalviews around the operation part 20, and express the umbrella closedstate and umbrella opened state. FIG. 6 is a view showing theconstruction of the circular pipe 15, and shows the outline view seenfrom the +X direction.

As for the circular pipe 15 which can slide on the interior pole 14fixed to the handle 3, the upper end is fixed to the lower ring 5 asshown in FIG. 6, and the lower end part is connected to the close handle13 through the cylindrical body 16. In addition, the longitudinal groove5 a and transverse groove 5 b of the lower ring 5 shown in FIG. 6 serveas a lengthwise groove for inserting the base of the rib 4 and acrosswise groove for installing the linear member (for example, wire)which forms the rotational axis at the base of the rib 4.

The slit 15 a for locking and holding the tab 11 installed in theinterior pole 14 in the umbrella closed state, and the slit 15 b forinserting the arm part 12 a of the open button 12 projected from theinterior pole 14 are formed along the Y-axis direction in the circularpipe 15. In addition, in the internal space of the circular tube-shapedinterior pole 14, the tab 11 and the arm part 12 a of the open button 12are connected to each other by the connection member 11 a as shown inFIG. 5A and FIG. 5B, and the elastic member 11 b which is made from, forexample, metal and is constituted as a plate spring is connected to thetab 11. By such a construction, the tab 11 is energized in the direction(the +X direction) projected from the interior pole 14, while it becomespossible to insert the tab 11 inside the interior pole 14 by the pushoperation to the open button 12. This enables the tab 11 to be lockedand unlocked with respect to the slit 15 a of the circular pipe 15.

The umbrella 1 is equipped with the casing 17 which has an outer shapeof a stepped cylinder and stores the lower part of the main shaft part10 including the cylindrical body 16, and the helical compression spring18 stored in the inside of the casing 17.

As for the casing 17, the lower end is fixed to the upper surface 3 u ofthe handle 3. The circular hole 17 h for inserting the main shaft part10 in the upper part of the casing 17, and the rectangle hole 17 g forinserting the arm part 13 a of the close handle 13 which extends fromthe cylindrical body 16 to the outside of the casing 17 and can movealong the upper and lower directions (the Y-axis direction) are formedin the casing 17. The rectangle hole 17 g is formed in the positionindicated by the dashed line shown in FIG. 6 at the umbrella closedstate, and guides the arm part 13 a of the close handle 13 which movesto the +Y direction in the case of the umbrella closing operation.

As for the helical compression spring 18, the lower end is connected tothe upper surface of the cylindrical body 16, and the upper end isconnected to the surface 17 u of the inside wall of the casing 17. Thehelical compression spring 18 serves as an elastic member for energizingthe circular pipe 15 in the downward direction (the −Y direction) alongthe central axis AX through the cylindrical body 16.

The opening/closing operation of the umbrella 1 which has theabove-mentioned construction is explained below.

First, in the umbrella closed state, the tab 11 is projected from theslit 15 a to be locked as shown in FIG. 5A, and the cylindrical body 16is energized downward (in the −Y direction) by the helical compressionspring 18 which is in compression with a certain energizing force.

In such an umbrella closed state, the transition to the umbrella openedstate can be performed by operating the open button 12. Concretely, theenergizing force currently stored in the helical compression spring 18is released, and the cylindrical body 16 and the circular pipe 15 arepushed downward and moved along the interior pole 14 through the use ofthe energizing force, by inserting the tab 11 inside the interior pole14 and coming out of the locking state by the push operation to the openbutton 12. Then, the downward move of the cylindrical body 16 iscompleted by the touch of the lower end of the cylindrical body 16 onthe upper surface 3 u of the handle 3, which serves as a stopper tolimit the move of the cylindrical body 16, and the transition to theumbrella opened state shown in FIG. 5B is performed. That is, by forcingthe circular pipe 15 as the movable member which extends from the lowerring (movable ring) 5 toward the operation part 20 to be driven alongwith the lower ring 5 to the downward direction (the −Y direction) inwhich the lower ring 5 separates from the upper ring (fixed ring) 7through the use of the energizing force of the helical compressionspring 18 in response to the umbrella opening operation to the openbutton (first operation member) 12, the switch from the umbrella closedstate to the umbrella opened state is performed. This enables theappropriate umbrella opening operation to be performed by the simpleone-touch operation to the open button 12.

Although the helical compression spring 18 is in a more stretched statethan the umbrella closed state shown in FIG. 5A, the cylindrical body 16and the circular pipe 15 is subject to the downward energizing force inthe umbrella opened state. This energizing force is the power requiredfor stably maintaining the umbrella opened state (refer to FIG. 1), andsome power enough to keep from making the lower end of the cylindricalbody 16 separate from the upper surface 3 u of the handle 3 is requiredeven in the case that the comparatively big external force acts on thecloth (cover) (such as a case that the cloth which is wet with raindropsto become heavy is fanned by the wind).

In such an umbrella opened state, the transition to the umbrella closedstate can be performed by operating the close handle 13. Concretely, theoperation to push up the close handle 13 in the upward direction (the +Ydirection) which is opposite to the direction of the above-mentionedenergizing force of the helical compression spring 18 by using the thumbetc. while resisting the energizing force is carried out, and thetransition to the umbrella closed state shown in FIG. 5A, i.e., thestate in which the tab 11 is projected from the slit 15 a to be lockedis performed. That is, by forcing the circular pipe 15 which functionsas a movable member to be driven along with the lower ring 5 in theupward direction (the +Y direction) in which the lower ring (movablering) 5 approaches the upper ring (fixed ring) 7 through the direct useof the operational force and operational displacement given by theoperation using, for example, a thumb to the close handle (secondoperation member) 13 in conjunction with the umbrella closing operationto the close handle 13, the switch from the umbrella opened state to theumbrella closed state is performed. This enables the appropriateumbrella closing operation to be performed by the reliable manualoperation to the close handle 13.

In the umbrella 1 in which the above opening/closing operation can beperformed, the umbrella opening operation and umbrella closing operationusing a single hand become possible in a simple structure equipped withtwo rings (i.e., the lower ring 5 and upper ring 7).

Furthermore, since the stretchers 6 are installed above the ribs 4 inthe umbrella 1, the space below the ribs 4 becomes larger than theconventional umbrella in which stretchers are installed below ribs.

In the umbrella 1 of this embodiment, the reduction of theopening/closing stroke concerning the circular pipe 15 is attained bypivotally attaching the rib 4 to the lower ring 5 as shown in FIG. 3 andmaking the angle θa of the rib 4 and the angle θb of the stretcher 6with respect to the main shaft part 10 into an acute angle in theumbrella opened state. The comparative example of the case of applyingthis technological thought to the construction (the construction inwhich each rib is pivotally attached to the lower ring) of the umbrellaconcerning the conventional technology is considered below.

FIG. 7 is a view showing the construction of the umbrella 9 as thecomparative example. This figure corresponds to FIG. 3 showing theconstruction of this embodiment.

About the umbrella 9 as the comparative example, the upper ring 92pivotally attached to the base of the rib 91 is fixed to the main shaftpart 90, while the lower ring 94 pivotally attached to the base of thestretcher 93 can slide on the main shaft part 90. In addition, in theumbrella opened state of the umbrella 9, the distance between the upperring 92 and the lower ring 94 is defined as L, and the angles of the rib91 and stretcher 93 with respect to the main shaft part 90 extendingfrom the upper ring 92 are defined as θa and θb in order to make thecondition equal to the umbrella 1 (refer to FIG. 3) of this embodiment.Even in such the umbrella 9, if the lower ring 94 moves to approach theupper ring 92, the umbrella closing operation can be performed.

However, in the construction of this umbrella 9, the angle θb of the rib91 becomes smaller than the angle θa of the rib 4 concerning thisembodiment just by providing the same distance L as the umbrella 1 ofthis embodiment shown in FIG. 3 between the upper ring 92 and the lowerring 94. This is because the rotation center of the rib 91 concerningthe umbrella 9 exists in the upper ring 92 (in the neighborhood of themain shaft part 90), while the rotation center of the rib 4 concerningthis embodiment exists in the joint 8 (refer to FIG. 3) which is distantfrom the main shaft part 10. Therefore, in order to realize the sameangle θa as the rib 4 of this embodiment in the rib 91 of the umbrella9, the longer displacement of the lower ring 94 than the distance L isrequired. This means the increase of the opening/closing stroke, and itis apparent that the construction of this embodiment is more excellentthan the umbrella 9 as an extension of the conventional technology.Moreover, in the umbrella 1 of this embodiment, since the rotationcenter (the joint 8) of the rib 4 is distant from the main shaft part 10as mentioned above, the rotation moment about each rib becomes smallerthan the umbrella 9 in which the rotation center of the rib 91 exists inthe upper ring 92. This enables the driving force of the lower ring 5(the circular pipe 15) to decrease such as when spreading the ribs 4.

As mentioned above, in the umbrella 1 of this embodiment, since theopening/closing stroke of the circular pipe 15, i.e., the operationaldisplacement of the close handle 13 can be reduced effectively, thedriving displacement (and the driving force) of the close handle 13which is required for the umbrella closing operation can be secured bythe direct manual operation using a finger. In other words, since theopening/closing stroke (displacement) of the lower ring 5 which isrequired for the opening/closing motion of the umbrella 1 can be made(designed) commensurate with the displacement brought by the operationwhich can be performed within the capability of using a thumb etc. of asingle hand which grips the handle 3, the umbrella closing operationeffectively using the operational displacement of the finger can becarried out. As a result, the simplification of the drive mechanismwhich drives the lower ring 5 when closing the umbrella can be attained,and the umbrella in which the opening/closing operation using a singlehand is possible can be realized with a simpler structure.

Modification

In the operation part of the above-mentioned embodiment, it is notindispensable to be equipped with the helical compression spring 18which energizes the circular pipe 15 downward. The operation part maynot be equipped with the helical compression spring. This constructionis explained below through the use of FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B.

FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B are views for explaining the construction of theoperation part 20A concerning the modification of this invention. FIG.8A and FIG. 8B correspond to FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B showing the operationpart 20 of the above-mentioned embodiment.

The operation part 20A of this modification is equipped with theopening/closing handle 25 connected to the lower end part of thecircular pipe 15. In the operation part 20A, the triangular prism-likelocking members 171 and 172 are installed near the inner opening of therectangle hole 17 g for inserting the opening/closing handle 25 in thecasing 17A. The columnar projections 251 which can engage the lockingmembers 171 and 172 extend along the Z-axis direction from the arm part25 a of the opening/closing handle 25. The projections 251 are connectedto the rod-like member 252 inserted into the hole 25 h which penetratesthrough the center of the opening/closing handle 25. This rod-likemember 252, the tip part of which is connected to the elastic member 253such as a helical compression spring, is energized in the +X direction.

In such a construction, the projections 251 engage the locking members171 or the locking members 172 unless the rod-like member 252 projectedfrom the upper surface of the opening/closing handle 25 is pushed down,so it becomes possible to maintain the umbrella closed state shown inFIG. 8A or the umbrella opened state shown in FIG. 8B. When wanting toshift from the umbrella closed state to the umbrella opened state, it isonly necessary to operate the opening/closing handle 25 in the downwarddirection (the −Y direction) while pushing down the rod-like member 252by using a finger etc. in order to release the engagement between thelocking member 171 and the projection 251. Similarly, when wanting toshift from the umbrella opened state to the umbrella closed state, it isonly necessary to operate the opening/closing handle 25 in the upwarddirection (the +Y direction) while pushing down the rod-like member 252by using a finger etc. in order to release the engagement between thelocking member 172 and the projection 251.

Even though the operation part 20A is equipped with such a simpleconstruction, it is possible to perform the umbrella opening operationand umbrella closing operation as appropriately as the above-mentionedembodiment. That is, the opening/closing stroke (displacement) of thecircular pipe 15 and the lower ring 5 is commensurate with thedisplacement brought by the operation which can be performed within thecapability of using, for example, a thumb, and the switch between theumbrella opened state and the umbrella closed state is possible bydriving the lower ring 5 and the circular pipe 15 upward or downwardthrough a direct use of the operational force and operationaldisplacement given by the operation using the finger to theopening/closing handle 25. As a result, the simplification of the drivemechanism which drives the lower ring 5 when opening or closing theumbrella can be attained, and the umbrella in which the opening/closingoperation using a single hand is possible can be realized with a simplerstructure.

Moreover, the construction like the above-mentioned operation part 20Amay be applied to the umbrella equipped with the construction in whichthe interior pole 140 can slide along the circular pipe 150 fixed to thehandle 3. This construction is explained below through the use of FIG.9A and FIG. 9B.

FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B are views for explaining the construction of theoperation part 20B concerning another modification. FIG. 9A and FIG. 9Bcorrespond to FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B showing the above-mentioned operationpart 20A.

Since the umbrella of this modification has the construction in whichthe interior pole 140 is slidable along the circular pipe 150, the armpart 25 a of the opening/closing handle 25 is attached to the interiorpole 140 in the operation part 20B. The slit 15 t for inserting the armpart 25 a is formed along the Y-axis direction in the circular pipe 150.

Even though the operation part 20B is equipped with such a simpleconstruction, it is possible to perform the umbrella opening operationand umbrella closing operation as appropriately as the above-mentionedoperation part 20A.

As for the operation part 20 of the above-mentioned embodiment, it isnot indispensable to energize the circular pipe 15 downward (in the −Ydirection) through the cylindrical body 16 by the helical compressionspring 18. The circular pipe 15 may be energized upward. Moreover, it isnot indispensable to energize the circular pipe 15 by using the helicalcompression spring 18, but the circular pipe 15 may be energized byusing an elastic member such as a plate spring.

While the invention has been shown and described in detail, theforegoing description is in all aspects illustrative and notrestrictive. It is therefore understood that numerous modifications andvariations can be devised without departing from the scope of theinvention.

1. An umbrella which is equipped with a main shaft part extending from agrip part along a central axis, comprising: an upper ring pivotallyattached to each stretcher pivotally connected to each joint installedin a halfway part of each rib which is stretched when opening saidumbrella; a lower ring pivotally attached to said each rib and installedin a position to be closer to said grip part than said upper ring insaid main shaft part; a cloth part attached to said each stretcher andeach of sections from said halfway part to a tip in said each rib; andan operation part for receiving an umbrella closing operation and anumbrella opening operation concerning a switch between an umbrellaopened state and an umbrella closed state, wherein: one and another ofsaid upper ring and said lower ring serve as a fixed ring and a movablering which can move along said central axis in said main shaft part; inresponse to said umbrella closing operation, a movable member whichextends from said movable ring toward said operation part is driven in adirection in which said movable ring approaches said fixed ring, whilein response to said umbrella opening operation, said movable member isdriven in a direction in which said movable ring separates from saidfixed ring; a displacement of said movable ring which is required for anopening/closing motion of said umbrella is commensurate with adisplacement concerning an operation which can be performed by using apredetermined finger of a single hand grasping said grip part; saidoperation part includes a first operation member and a second operationmember for receiving said umbrella opening operation and said umbrellaclosing operation; and said switch between said umbrella opened stateand said umbrella closed state is possible by driving said movablemember and said movable ring in a predetermined direction along saidcentral axis through a use of an energizing force of a predeterminedelastic member in response to an operation to said first operationmember, and by driving said movable member and said movable ring in anopposite direction of said predetermined direction through a direct useof an operational force and an operational displacement given by anoperation using said predetermined finger to said second operationmember.
 2. An umbrella which is equipped with a main shaft partextending from a grip part along a central axis, comprising: an upperring pivotally attached to each stretcher pivotally connected to eachjoint installed in a halfway part of each rib which is stretched whenopening said umbrella; a lower ring pivotally attached to said each riband installed in a position to be closer to said grip part than saidupper ring in said main shaft part; a cloth part attached to said eachstretcher and each of sections from said halfway part to a tip in saideach rib; and an operation part for receiving an umbrella closingoperation and an umbrella opening operation concerning a switch betweenan umbrella opened state and an umbrella closed state, wherein: one andanother of said upper ring and said lower ring serve as a fixed ring anda movable ring which can move along said central axis in said main shaftpart; in response to said umbrella closing operation, a movable memberwhich extends from said movable ring toward said operation part isdriven in a first direction in which said movable ring approaches saidfixed ring, while in response to said umbrella opening operation, saidmovable member is driven in a second direction in which said movablering separates from said fixed ring; a displacement of said movable ringwhich is required for an opening/closing motion of said umbrella iscommensurate with a displacement concerning an operation which can beperformed by using a predetermined finger of a single hand grasping saidgrip part; and said switch between said umbrella opened state and saidumbrella closed state is possible by driving said movable member andsaid movable ring in said first direction or said second directionthrough a direct use of an operational force and an operationaldisplacement given by an operation using said predetermined finger tosaid operation part.